Well alae2021, it appears you may be a bit more involved in the whatever is going on with a resurrected ALAE. Not being sure of what the intent of a new ALAE would be, I'll answer the questions you put.
Yes, and a few people are looking into whether there would be any interested holders of a Part 66 licence joining a professional body, if there was one to join.
1. Cost wise, a website would do the job, but a printed newsletter may provide a new association with a visible presence to members and for those members to put copies in the crew room at work. To get a new membership in numbers, the associations profile will have to be raised quite quickly.
The copy of Tech Log on crew room tables was a great way to bring industry issues to a wide audiance and (almost) everyone has a smartphone or tablet nowadays, so would have access to a website (both members and public access).
2. Not being sure of what the intent of a new entity would be, Union or Association, I can't answer. I did say Prospect have provided expanded services to members and negotiated workplace agreements in some companies. Are current Licensed Engineers under these agreements happy with the outcome or services provided by Prospect or would they prefer a new Union under an ALAE identity that would be more specialised. Maybe a more inclusive organisation giving full membership to Licensed and Unlicensed Engineers would be attractive also? Personally I'm overseas so not party to any of agreements or any local discussions regarding Prospect satisfaction.
My view on the way trade union law is set up in the UK, would mean a new body replacing existing agreements would be highly unlikely. Also, there are thousands of licensed engineers in the UK, but how many are members of a union? The question is whether licensed engineers would want to join an association, but for whatever reason, have not joined a union, whether there is a recognition agreement at their workplace or not.
3. Would a new association be formed with the intent of engaging with the CAA and AEI and EASA, even if it was not going to be a workplace representative Union?
Yes, that would be the intent
I'd be potentially interested in joining a new ALAE, but what would it's purpose be? I think Prospect has let our profile slip and not sure at what level they engage with authorities, certainly they don't keep us informed of any of their activities at this level if they do. The old ALAE was really good at this, so would potentially like to see something like that, whilst I kept my Prospect membership for any workplace or legal issues I may encounter?
That is great news that you would potentially be interested in joining. The UK is now separated from EASA, so will naturally diverge at some point, from what was in place on 31st Dec 2020. Do licensed engineers want their views heard with the regulator at the start of the new relationship? I believe a coordinated grouping of industry professionals would be a potentially beneficial consultative voice within the future direction of engineering based aviation.
Any more suggestions would be greatly appreciated.